Xiaoqi Yu1, Yan Dong2, Zheneng Li1, Yuan Fang1, Shuang Wu3, Chao Wang3, Shuchang He4. 1. Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, 59# Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China. 2. Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, 59# Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China. Electronic address: dong8958@126.com. 3. School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, 5# Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871. 4. School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, 5# Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871. Electronic address: shuchangh@pku.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work stress has been proved to be linked to depression, and both can decrease general trust. Likewise, OXTR gene is currently the gene that is most closely associated with trust. However, few empirical studies have explored the significant role of gene-environment interactions on general trust. In this study, we explored the mediating role of depression in the relationship between work stress and general trust, and the moderating role of the OXTR rs 53576 in the mediation model. METHODS: 364 healthy Han Chinese faculties were recruited from one university in Beijing. Work stress, depression, and general trust were assessed using the House and Rizzo's Work Stress Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the General Trust Questionnaire, respectively. Blood samples were collected for OXTR rs53576 genotyping. RESULTS: Depression mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. In the mediation model, OXTR rs53576 could only moderated the direct path from work stress to general trust. For AA and GA individuals, depression completely mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. For GG individuals, depression partly mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. LIMITATIONS: This study used a cross-sectional design, only considered Han Chinese faculties, and the role of other genes should be explored. CONCLUSIONS: Depression has a mediating effect between work stress and general trust. The general trust levels of GG genotype individuals are more prone to be affected by work stress than AA and GA individuals.
BACKGROUND: Work stress has been proved to be linked to depression, and both can decrease general trust. Likewise, OXTR gene is currently the gene that is most closely associated with trust. However, few empirical studies have explored the significant role of gene-environment interactions on general trust. In this study, we explored the mediating role of depression in the relationship between work stress and general trust, and the moderating role of the OXTR rs 53576 in the mediation model. METHODS: 364 healthy Han Chinese faculties were recruited from one university in Beijing. Work stress, depression, and general trust were assessed using the House and Rizzo's Work Stress Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the General Trust Questionnaire, respectively. Blood samples were collected for OXTR rs53576 genotyping. RESULTS: Depression mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. In the mediation model, OXTR rs53576 could only moderated the direct path from work stress to general trust. For AA and GA individuals, depression completely mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. For GG individuals, depression partly mediated the relationship between work stress and general trust. LIMITATIONS: This study used a cross-sectional design, only considered Han Chinese faculties, and the role of other genes should be explored. CONCLUSIONS: Depression has a mediating effect between work stress and general trust. The general trust levels of GG genotype individuals are more prone to be affected by work stress than AA and GA individuals.